Fishing-hook holder and threading device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and associated method for holding and restricting the movement of a fishing-hook while facilitating the threading of fishing-hooks. In an exemplary form, the invention includes a clam-shell housing for a fishing-hook, the housing having a pair of opposing first and second blocks, a pair of opposing first and second surfaces, with the first opposing surface in the first block and the second non-opposing surface in the second block. The embodiment further includes at least one aperture formed at a periphery of at least one of the opposing surfaces and at least one hook-receiving channel to receive and fixedly engage the fishing hook, the being channel etched into the same opposing surface as the aperture and substantially shaped in form of the fishing-hook, with channel connected at one end to said aperture and extending thereof inwardly along said etched surface. In this way, a fishing-hook is firmly held by the housing, thus minimizing movement and facilitating the threading of the hook.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] (Not Applicable)

STATEMENTS RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

[0002] (Not Applicable)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is directed to the field of fishing. Moreparticularly, the present invention is directed to devices for holdingand threading of fishing-hooks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Presently, the potential danger from handling of fishing-hooks iswell known to fish-hook users. Generally, fishing-hooks have a barbportion at where the bait is often optimally placed. The barb portionsalso have sharpened outwardly pointed edges for the purpose of engagingthe prey. Once the prey has swallowed the bait, these sharpened portionspierce and tear into the prey's mouth and engage the tissue therein,thus reducing the chance of the prey's escape prior to its capture.

[0005] While the barb's sharpened edges have proven effective in theirintended role of piercing and tearing into the prey's tissue in order toengage the prey, they have also been the source of inadvertent injury tothe users of fishing-hooks. In many instances, the barb's sharpenededges have torn into the flesh of the user's fingers and hand whilebeing held. This problem specifically widespread when the user is tryingto hold the fishing-hook in a steady position with one hand whileattempting to thread the eye of the hook with the other hand.

[0006] Currently, many devices exist to minimize the threat of injury tothe users. These devices, however suffer from several shortcomings.First, most such devices are constructed of several moving parts andother gadgets, making them difficult to hold or use. Second, thesedevices generally were built with the intention of merely providingstorage or a carrying case for the hook and not as a threadingfacilitator. They thus do not adequately hold the hook in position,allowing for the hook to move or rattle within the device and making itdifficult for a user to thread the eye. Third, these devices are oftencumbersome to use when it comes to the insertion and retrieval of thefishing hook, often causing injuries to the user in the process. Fourth,most such devices are limited a single fishing-hook of a specific size,thus requiring the user to utilize a number of such devices in order toaccommodate fishing hooks of different sizes.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide adevice that would readily receive a fishing-hook and fixedly engage thehook in a snug surrounding so that the movement of the hook isminimized.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a devicethat is readily capable of receiving fishing-hooks of different sizesand shapes, thus minimizing the need to utilize more than once suchdevice.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide amethod for facilitating the threading of a fishing hook.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] These and other objects are achieved by the various apparatus andassociated method of the present invention.

[0011] In a broad aspect, the present invention provides a fishing-hookholder and threading device to hold and restrict the movement of afishing-hook during threading. In a first exemplary embodiment, thepresent invention includes a clam-shell housing for a fishing-hook, thehousing having a pair of opposing first and second blocks, a pair ofopposing first and second surfaces, with the first opposing surface inthe first block and the second non-opposing surface in the second block.The first embodiment further includes at least one aperture formed at aperiphery of at least one of the opposing surfaces and at least onehook-receiving channel to receive and fixedly engage the fishing hook,the being channel etched into the same opposing surface as the apertureand substantially shaped in form of the fishing-hook, with channelconnected at one end to said aperture and extending thereof inwardlyalong said etched surface.

[0012] In a second exemplary embodiment, the present invention is anapparatus to hold and restrict the movement fishing-hooks of varyingsizes during threading. The invention includes a clam-shell housing fora plurality of fishing hooks, the housing having a pair of opposingfirst and second blocks, a pair of opposing first and second surfaces,with the first opposing surface in the first block and the secondnon-opposing surface in the second block. The second embodiment furtherincludes at least one aperture formed at a periphery of each of theopposing surfaces, and at least one hook-receiving channel etched ineach of the opposing surfaces in the substantial shape of afishing-hook, the channel connected at one end to the aperture in thecorresponding block and extending thereof inwardly along the etchedsurface wherein the channel receives and fixedly engages the fishinghook.

[0013] In yet a third exemplary embodiment, the present inventionprovides a method for holding and facilitating the threading of at leastone fishing-hook having an eye. The method includes securing thefishing-hook in at least one hook-receiving channel of a clam-shellhousing wherein the eye remaining external to the housing and thenthreading the eye of the fishing-hook.

[0014] The aforementioned summary descriptions were intended to onlyprovide an overview of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. A more detailed understanding of these features, and ofadditional features, objects, and advantages of the present inventionwill be provided to those skilled in the art from a consideration of thefollowing Detailed Description of the Invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying Drawings, which will now first be describedbriefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fishing-hook holderof the present invention illustrating various structural and functionalaspects thereof.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary fishing-hook holderof the present invention illustrating various structural and functionalaspects thereof.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thefishing-hook holder of the present invention in a closed position.

[0018]FIG. 4 is an additional perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of the fishing-hook holder of the present invention in aclosed position.

[0019]FIG. 5 is another view of an exemplary fishing-hook holder of thepresent invention.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of thefishing-hook holder of the present invention generally corresponding tothat of FIG. 2.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of thefishing-hook holder of the present invention generally corresponding tothat of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention is a fishing-hook holder and threadingdevice and associated method to hold a fishing-hook in place tofacilitate the threading the fishing-hook.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device of the present inventionincludes a clam-shell housing 1 having a pair of opposing blocks 1 a and1 b. Blocks 1 a and 1 b have corresponding surfaces 11 a and 11 b thatare opposing surfaces relative to each other. The clam-shell housing 1further includes at least one of apertures 18 and 19 that are formed ata periphery of each of their corresponding opposing surfaces 11 a and 11b. In addition, hook-receiving channels 20 a and 20 b are etched intoeach of said opposing surfaces and in the substantial shape offishing-hooks so to receive and fixedly engage the fishing hook.Channels 20 a and 20 b are each connected at one end to theircorresponding apertures 18 and 19 in the corresponding blocks 1 a and 1b and extend thereof inwardly along the corresponding surfaces 11 a and11 b.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, blocks 1 a and 1 b are joinedtogether by the hinge mechanism 17 in order to facilitate the closing ofthe clam-shell housing 1. It should be noted however, that the hingemechanism 17 is not essential to the operations of the present inventionand any closing mechanism known to those skilled in the art that caneffectively facilitate the closing of clam-shell housing 1 may also beused in the place of a hinge.

[0025] The clam-shell housing 1 also includes indenture 15 consisting ofa pair of indentures 15 a and 15 b located on an outer edge of thecorresponding opposing surfaces 11 a and 11 b and in substantialadjoining relative to each other in the blocks 1 a and 1 b to facilitatethe opening of the clam-shell housing 1.

[0026] Additional features of clam-shell housing 1 are a pair ofnon-opposing surfaces 30 a and 30 b in the corresponding blocks 1 a and1 b, and the hollow conduit 10 that courses between the non-opposingsurfaces 30 a and 30 b. The hollow conduit 10 provides a passageway fora fastening mechanism such as a thread or chain to pass through, therebyfacilitating the fastening of the claim housing to an external object bythe user. The user can for example secure the clam housing by fasteningthe thread or the chain to his belt while fishing to reduce the risk oflosing the clam-shell housing which may otherwise accidentally slip outof his pocket or hands and fall into the river.

[0027] The structural features of the hook-receiving channel 20 will nowbe discussed in greater detail As shown in FIG. 1, the hook-receivingchannel 20, presented in two forms in each of blocks 1 a and 1 b forillustrative purposes, have a corresponding main channel 20 a and 20 betched in a curved or straight form, and curved channel sets 21 a and 21b having barb-engaging cavity-ends 21 a and 21 b. In an exemplaryembodiment, at least one of main channels 20 a and 20 b, such as mainchannel 20 b used here for simplicity, is substantially shaped in theform of a fishing-hook shank and extends from the aperture 18 to thecurved channel set 21 b. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each member of thecurved channel set 21 b is substantially shaped in the form of afishing-hook bend and radially extends from main channel 20 b to itscorresponding barb-engaging cavity-end set 22 b member.

[0028] The functional features of the clam-shell housing 1 will now bediscussed in FIGS. 2 and 3 in conjunction with FIG. 1. As illustrated inFIG. 2, a typical fish-hook 25 having an eye member 25 a, a shank member25 b, a bend member 25 d and a barb member 25 c is placed inside thehook-receiving channel 20 such as the one in block 1 b. As describedabove, the hook-receiving channel 20 is etched into the surface 11 b asto be is substantially shaped in the form of a fishing-hook, with eachof its members 20 b-22 b substantially shaped to the corresponding partsof a fish-hook. One advantage of the foregoing feature of the presentinvention over the prior art is the present invention's ability toreceive and fixedly engage the fishing hook within the snug confines ofthe receiving channel 20. In this way, the receiving channel restrictsthe fishing-hook from angular movement along the plane of the surface 11b. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art includethe use of multiple curved channels 21 b extending out at differentradii.

[0029] The foregoing feature allows for the present invention to be usedfor holding a variety of different fishing-hooks of different sizes andshapes. Channels of different depths and width may also be used toaccommodate fishing-hooks with varying axial diameters, along withsimilarly dimensionally different barb-engaging cavity-ends toaccommodate different barb sizes.

[0030]FIG. 3 illustrates additional functional features of the presentinvention. As illustrated, the clam-shell housing 1 holding fishing-hook25 is set to a closed position, by the pivotal rotation along hinge 17.When in a closed position, the opposing surfaces 11 a and 11 b areadjoined, effectively fixedly immuring the portions of the fishing-hook25 received in channel 20 b. Thus opposing block 1 a acts to furtherrestrict the movement of the fishing-hook 25, such as from axialrotation along its shank 25 b and also of angular movement relative tothe plane of opposing surfaces 11 a and 11 b. In addition, asillustrated in FIG. 3 apertures 18 and 19 in both blocks 1 a and 1 b areadvantageously placed in offset positions relative to one another in theopposing surfaces 11 a and 11 b to further minimize the movement of thefishing-hook 25 in near the apertures 18 and 19. Furthermore, receivingchannels 20 a and 20 b in opposing blocks 1 a and 1 b are advantageouslyplaced in a substantially offset position relative to each to furtherminimize the internal movement of the fishing-hook 25 in the channel 20within the clam-shell housing 1.

[0031] It should be emphasized that the apertures 18 and 19 need not berectangular as illustrated. Rather, it is contemplated as being withinthe scope of the present invention to form apertures 18 and 19 in a widevariety of geometric shapes such as polygons and annular designs.

[0032] As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the clam-shell housing 1encases a substantial portion of the shank 25 b to maximize restrictionof its movement but also allowing the eye 25 a to remain external to thehousing for facilitated threading by the accessing user.

[0033] Other features of the clam-shell housing 1 are also illustratedin FIG. 3 in form of non-opposing surfaces 30 a and 30 b and one of theexternal openings of hollow conduit 10. In an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, at least one of the opposing surfaces 30 a and 30b is a substantially planar surface to allow for both a more securehandling of the housing such as during threading, and more stableresting of the clam-shell housing on another surface, such as on a pieror boat seat when not in use.

[0034]FIG. 4 is an additional perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of the fishing-hook holder of the present invention in aclosed position.

[0035]FIG. 5 is another view of an exemplary fishing-hook holder of thepresent invention, illustrating another possible shape forhook-receiving channel 20.

[0036] For additional understanding of this construction, FIGS. 6 and 7provides a cross-sectional view illustrating these details.

[0037] It should be emphasized that the clam-shell housing 1 need not beformed as the generally circular structure of FIG. 4 in order to comewithin the scope and teachings of the present invention. Rather, it iscontemplated as being within the scope of the present invention to formclam-shell housing 1 in a wide variety of geometric shapes ranging fromsimple bars and crescents through polygons, circles, and the like. Whenformed into the generally circular shape shown, clam-shell housing 1defines or provides a central location for at least one or for aplurality of channels 20. It should be noted that only the fundamentalfeatures of clam-shell housing 1 are illustrated in the FIGS. 1-7. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that additional surface features,shapes, and details may be provided as desired, including projectingknobs, curbs, tabs, buttons, or the like.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, clam-shellhousing 1 is made of a buoyant material to minimize the risk of loss ofclam-shell housing 1 when accidentally dropped in the water.Additionally, clam-shell housing 1 can be formed of any commerciallyavailable material having buoyancy and resistance to the elements tofunction in its intended environment as a fishing-hook holder andthreading device. Exemplary materials include industrial gradecomposites such as plastic polymers and hollowed stainless steal. In theexemplary embodiment of fishing-hook holder and threading device,clam-shell housing 1 is formed of wood. However, it should be emphasizedthat this is not a limiting feature of the present invention and thatalternative materials may be utilized as appropriate.

[0039] Other embodiments, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from aconsideration of the foregoing specification as well as through practiceof the invention and alternative embodiments and methods disclosedherein. Therefore, it should be emphasized that the specification andexamples are exemplary only, and that the true scope and spirit of theinvention is limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fishing-hook holder and threading devicecomprising: a) a clam-shell housing for a fishing-hook, said housinghaving a pair of opposing first and second blocks; b) a pair of opposingfirst and second surfaces, said first opposing surface in said firstblock and said second non-opposing surface in said second block; c) atleast one aperture formed at a periphery of at least one of saidopposing surfaces; and d) at least one hook-receiving channel to receiveand fixedly engage said fishing hook, said channel etched into the sameopposing surface as said aperture and substantially shaped in form ofsaid fishing-hook, said channel connected at one end to said apertureand extending thereof inwardly along said etched surface.
 2. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said blocks are hingedly connected to each other. 3.The device of claim 1, said fishing-hook comprising: a) an eye, a shank,a barb, and a bend wherein said shank extending from said eye to saidbend, and said bend curving from said shank to said barb; and b) whereinsaid shank, barb, and bend are received and fixedly engaged by saidhook-receiving channel.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said eye isplaced external to said clam-shell housing.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein said opposing blocks further comprising a first indenturelocated on an outer edge of said first surface and a second indenturelocated on an outer edge of said second surface wherein said first andsecond indentures are in substantial adjoining relative to each other insaid blocks to facilitate the opening of said clam-shell housing.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1, said clam-shell housing further comprising: a) a pairof non-opposing first and second surfaces, said first non-opposingsurface in said first block and said second non-opposing surface in saidsecond block; and b) at least one hollow conduit extending from saidfirst non-opposing surface to said second non-opposing surface.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein at least one of said first and secondnon-opposing surfaces is a substantially flat planar surface.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said aperture is substantially annular. 9.The device of claim 1, wherein said aperture is substantially angular.10. The device of claim 3, said channel further comprising:a mainchannel, a curved channel and a barb-engaging cavity-end, said mainchannel substantially shaped in the form of said shank and extendingfrom said aperture to said curved channel, said curved channelsubstantially shaped in the form of said bend and radially extendingfrom said main channel to said barb-engaging cavity-end.
 11. The deviceof claim 3, wherein said clam-shell housing to restrict saidfishing-hook from axial rotation along said shank.
 12. The device ofclaim 3, wherein said clam-shell housing to restrict said fishing-hookfrom angular movement relative to the plane of said opposing surfaces.13. The device of claim 3, wherein said clam-shell housing to restrictsaid fishing-hook from angular movement along the plane of said opposingsurfaces.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is composed ofa buoyant material.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein buoyant materialis a wood composite material.
 16. The device of claim 13, whereinbuoyant material is a plastic composite material.
 17. The device ofclaim 10, wherein said sank is a curved shank.
 18. The device of claim10, wherein said sank is a straight shank.
 19. A method for holding andfacilitating the threading of at least one fishing-hook having an eye,said method comprising: a) securing said fishing-hook in at least onehook-receiving channel of a clam-shell housing wherein said eyeremaining external to said housing; and b) threading said eye of saidfishing-hook.
 20. The method of claim 19, said securing furthercomprising receiving and fixedly engaging said fishing hook in saidclam-shell housing.
 21. A fishing-hook holder and threading devicecomprising: a) a clam-shell housing for a plurality of fishing hooks,said housing having a pair of opposing first and second blocks; b) apair of opposing first and second surfaces, said first opposing surfacein said first block and said second non-opposing surface in said secondblock; c) at least one aperture formed at a periphery of each of saidopposing surfaces; and d) at least one hook-receiving channel etched ineach of said opposing surfaces in the substantial shape of saidfishing-hook, said channel connected at one end to said aperture in thecorresponding block and extending thereof inwardly along said etchedsurface wherein said channel receives and fixedly engages said fishinghook.
 22. The device of claim 21 wherein said blocks are hingedlyconnected to each other.
 23. The device of claim 21, said fishing-hookcomprising: a) an eye, a shank, a barb, and a bend wherein said shankextending from said eye to said bend, and said bend curving from saidshank to said barb; and b) wherein said shank, barb, and bend arereceived and fixedly engaged by said hook-receiving channel.
 24. Thedevice of claim 23 wherein said eye is placed external to saidclam-shell housing.
 25. The device of claim 21, wherein said opposingblocks further comprising a first indenture located on an outer edge ofsaid first surface and a second indenture located on an outer edge ofsaid second surface wherein said first and second indentures are insubstantial adjoining relative to each other in said blocks tofacilitate the opening of said clam-shell housing.
 26. The device ofclaim 21, said clam-shell housing further comprising: a) a pair ofnon-opposing first and second surfaces, said first non-opposing surfacein said first block and said second non-opposing surface in said secondblock; and b) at least one hollow conduit extending from said firstnon-opposing surface to said second non-opposing surface.
 27. The deviceof claim 26, wherein at least one of said first and second non-opposingsurfaces is a substantially flat planar surface.
 28. The device of claim21, wherein said aperture is substantially annular.
 29. The device ofclaim 21, wherein said aperture is substantially angular.
 30. The deviceof claim 23, said channel further comprising a main channel, a curvedchannel and a barb-engaging cavity-end, said main channel substantiallyshaped in the form of said shank and extending from said aperture tosaid curved channel, said curved channel substantially shaped in theform of said bend and radially extending from said main channel to saidbarb-engaging cavity-end.
 31. The device of claim 23, said channelfurther comprising: a) a main-stem channel substantially shaped in theform of said shank; and b) a plurality of curved channels each having acorresponding barb-engaging cavity-end wherein said main-stem channelextending from said aperture to said curved channels, each said curvedsubstantially shaped in the form of said bend and radially branchingfrom said main-stem channel and extending to said correspondingbarb-engaging cavity-end.
 32. The device of claim 31, wherein saidcurved channels each having different channel depths from each other.33. The device of claim 31, wherein said curved channels each radiallybranching form said main-stem channel at different radii from eachother.
 34. The device of claim 31, wherein at least one of said curvedchannels radially branching from said main-stem channel at a differentpoint along said main-stem than others.
 35. The device of claim 31,wherein at least one of said curved channels have different length thanothers.
 36. The device of claim 31, wherein at least one of said curvedchannels have a corresponding barb-engaging cavity-end of different sizethan others to accommodate different sized barb.
 37. The device of claim21 wherein each said aperture formed at said periphery of each of saidopposing surfaces is in an offset position relative to another saidaperture formed at said periphery of the other opposing surface.
 38. Thedevice of claim 21 wherein each said hook-receiving channel in eachopposing block is in a substantially offset position relative to eachchannel in the other opposing block.
 39. The device of claim 23, whereinsaid clam-shell housing to restrict said fishing-hook from axialrotation along said shank.
 40. The device of claim 23, wherein saidclam-shell housing to restrict said fishing-hook from angular movementrelative to the plane of said opposing surfaces.
 41. The device of claim21, wherein said device is composed of a buoyant material.
 42. Thedevice of claim 38, wherein buoyant material is a wood compositematerial.
 43. The device of claim 38, wherein buoyant material is aplastic composite material.